Concerns raised over student Bible-based program

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

As the presence of the Bible-based character education program Lifewise Academy spreads across the country including in the Diocese of Sioux City, some questions and concerns pertaining to the program’s curriculum and alignment with Catholic teaching have arisen.

“Lifewise Academy is an organization that works with local communities to provide Bible-based character education during the school day in accordance with national laws that allow these classes to occur as long as they are off of school property, are privately funded and are parent permitted,” said Karmen Bower, diocesan director of faith formation, who noted that parents must opt their children into these classes. “Then transportation is provided to the students during the school day to a partnering local church where the Bible classes take place.”

It was in 1952 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day as long as it is off school property, privately funded and parent permitted.

After the Office of Faith Formation began fielding some questions last year from parishes that were contacted by parents, Bishop R. Walker Nickless wrote a letter cautioning against participation in the classes and recently Bishop John E. Keehner also penned a letter to parents.

In the letter, Bishop Keehner stressed that Lifewise Academy and its volunteers are well-intentioned.

“We all recognize our society is in need of additional exposure to the Christian faith,” wrote Bishop Keehner. “However, after research and discussions with Lifewise community leaders, some areas of concern arose regarding the program content for Catholic students. There are several items in the Lifewise curriculum that are in conflict with the Catechism and our Catholic faith.”

Areas of concern, noted the bishop, stem from the Lifewise Academy’s Statement of Faith – which is not Catholic.

“Examples of conflict include a statement that is contrary to our sacramental understanding of salvation and the fact that the Bible used in the instruction does not contain all the books included in what we as Catholics understand to be the fullness of sacred Scripture,” said Bishop Keehner.

Even though the Statement of Faith notes that “it seeks to avoid discussions about denominational differences in the classroom,” the curriculum for Lifewise lesson plans use The Gospel Project, offered by Lifeway Christian Resources that is part of a specific Protestant denomination, Southern Baptist Convention.

The bishop and the Office of Faith Formation caution parents against participating in the program.

Lifewise Academy was initiated in 2018 and is quickly spreading throughout the country. A press release posted on lifewise.org, stated the organization is on track to serve nearly 100,000 students in 1,100 schools across 34 states this school year.

Echoing the sentiments expressed in Bishop Keehner’s letter, Bower said, “We want to equip families with the information they need to make decisions about the faith formation of their children.”

She encouraged parents to visit scdiocese.org/catechesis to check out various resources including a list of Catholic Bible studies for elementary, middle school and high school students. The site also provides explanations of Catholic Church teachings in comparison to the teachings of Lifewise and why it matters for your children. (See: What Catholics Believe – Grace, Works & Sacraments.) 

“Parents and parish communities can be creative in finding times for kids to study the Bible outside of normal faith formation time frames if there is a desire for increased time with Scripture. And more than anything, it is always beneficial to families to study Scripture together,” said Bower, who suggested Ascension Press’ God’s Plan in Scripture curriculum, Walking With Purpose or FOCUS Equip as options to explore.

The faith formation director encourages parents to read Bishop Keehner’s full letter.

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